Going through the legal system can be a challenge on top of the stress and anxiety caused by an arrest and a criminal charge. When this happens, the priority is to get the individual released so he or she can return home.
Often family members are confused by the terms cash bail and bond. To make this more confusing, it is not uncommon for the terms to be used interchangeably, even though they are two separate options to consider.
Cash Bail
Cash bail requires the family or the individual to be able to post or to pay the full amount of the bond set by the judge in the case. For example, if the judge orders the bond set at $10,000, the family or individual must be able to pay $10,000 in cash to the court.
With low bond amounts, this is often possible, and it provides the benefit of the family or individual getting the cash back, less a small fee assessment if they are convicted, provided the terms of the bond are not violated.
Bonds
Bail bonds can only be provided by a bond company. The family or individual contacts us, and we provide a bond to the court covering the required amount. The bond company charges a fee for this service. We may also require collateral for the bond amount.
The benefit to the family or individual is they only have to provide the fee rather than the full amount of the bond. As with cash bail, once the charges are dropped of the trial completed, the bond, less the fee, is returned to the individual posting the bond.
To find out more about cash bail and bonds, call our team at 602-244-5247.
